Shinhwa’s Lee Min-woo to embark on Asia concert tour

Lee Min-woo. (Liveworks Company)Lee Min-woo, a member of veteran K-pop boy group Shinhwa, will embark on his Asia concert tour starting in Tokyo in June, following two concerts held in Seoul last weekend.Through his tour, titled “2014 M+TEN TOUR ‘M STEP,’” Lee is slated to meet and perform for over 20,000 fans in Japan and China.Lee’s first concert will take place at the Zepp Tokyo music hall in Tokyo on June 7, where he will return to fans in Japan for the first time since 2008. “Given that the

May 29, 2014

Ozzy Osbourne to perform at Hyundai Card festival

Heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne will be making his way to Seoul this summer as a headliner for the Hyundai Card Citybreak music festival. Hyundai Card announced the upcoming festival’s second-string lineup Thursday, including Ozzy Osbourne, Hoobastank, Locofrank, Cocobat and Yellow Monsters.Ozzy Osbourne was the lead vocalist of veteran heavy metal band Black Sabbath. In the last 40 years, Osbourne has released 11 solo albums and 9 albums as part of Black Sabbath, producing a number of hit sing

PerformanceMay 29, 2014

Madman, retired detective square off in Stephen King’s fast-paced thriller

In “Mr. Mercedes,” Stephen King gives the ghosts and ghouls a rest and returns to the non-supernatural suspense genre of such earlier novels as “Cujo” and “Misery.” He also resists the bloat that has crept into his books over the last decade, keeping the story moving at lightning speed ― I dare you not to read the last 100 pages in one sitting ― and focusing primarily on two characters, antagonists about to embark on an elaborate dance of wits.One is Bill Hodges, a retired 62-year-old detective

CultureMay 29, 2014

Ellen Gilchrist returns with fine new stories, unsentimental characters

The forces at work in Ellen Gilchrist’s latest story collection ― her first in eight years ― are not trifles. Nature. Time. Plain bad luck. And yet her characters remain undaunted. These flinty, practical, God-fearing Southern folk do not hold with complaining.“Life’s harder than we know it might be when we’re young,” acknowledges the widowed Arkansas First Responder in the National Guard in “Collateral.” She must leave her teaching job and son to travel to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. A

CultureMay 29, 2014

New Ferris novel stars alienated dentist

To Rise Again at a Decent HourBy Daniel Akst (Newsday)Until now, the only novel I could think of with a dentist as a protagonist was Frank Norris’ melodramatic “McTeague” from the turn of the 20th century.So it may not be saying much to award the laurels for Best Novel with a Dentist in a Starring Role to the alternately sad and hilarious new book by Joshua Ferris. “To Rise Again at a Decent Hour” showcases the wit, intelligence and keen eye for workplace absurdity the author displayed to such g

CultureMay 29, 2014

The life of Neil Gaiman (so far)

The Art of Neil GaimanBy Tish Wells (McClatchy Washington Bureau)If you haven’t heard of Neil Gaiman, you’ve missed a major force in creative fiction in the last 20 years. His offbeat writing runs from comics to films to television series to books.The best way to meet the man, other than at a book reading, is in the new biography, “The Art of Neil Gaiman” by Hayley Campbell. Lushly illustrated, it’s a rich treat of an introduction to Gaiman and his work.That “work” is imaginative fiction, scienc

CultureMay 29, 2014

Shocking photos of Dalshabet’s Subin’s car accident revealed

Scenes from a car accident involving K-pop girl band Dalshabet member Subin was disclosed by SBS’ “Midnight TV Entertainment.”The photographs released by Eonyang Fire Department showed the completely shattered car that carried Subin and her manager. Another photo revealed her receiving first aid at the scene.“(Subin) just kept crying. She was in shock,” a firefighter was quoted as saying while explaining the tense moment of the accident.The car accident occurred on May 23 at 7:30 p.m. on a highw

May 29, 2014

Rising babysitting shows refresh Korean entertainment scene　

Babysitting reality show “Oh! My Baby (SBS)” has surpassed its contemporary MBC variety show “Radio Star (MBC)” in audience rating, heralding the rise of “babies” in the Korean entertainment scene. The latest May 28 episode of “Oh! My Baby” saw a 6.8 percent audience rating here, beating MBC “Radio Star” (5.4 percent) and KBS 2TV’s “Ddabong World Cup” (2.0 percent) that are aired in the same time slot, consumer market research firm Nielsen Korea reported Thursday.Besides “Oh! My Baby,” multiple

May 29, 2014

Still cuts show Cha Seung-won garnered as woman in ’High Heel (2014)‘

Still shots of actor Cha Seung-won in women’s clothing and makeup were released on Thursday, revealing more of the extraordinary plot of his latest film “High Heel.”These stills -- showing Cha in earrings and holding a clutch with a grim face -- show the character’s emotional turmoil over his sexual identity.Such a feminine depiction of Cha, who has built up a masculine, macho image by starring in numerous rom-coms and action movies, is new.   Actor Cha Seung-won becomes a police sergeant with a

May 29, 2014

Go Ara dances awkwardly for Lee Seung-ki

Korean actress Go Ara showed stiff dance moves to actor Lee Seung-ki in the SBS cop drama “You’re All Surrounded.”Aired on May 28, cop Uh Soo-sun (Go Ara) sings Lee Hyori’s “10 Minutes” while dancing awkwardly in front of her colleague Eun Dae-gu (Lee Seung-ki), drawing much interest from viewers.In the drama, the two leave Seoul for a secret investigation and stay at an inn. Later that night, Eun Dae-gu, scared to go to the dark and shabby toilet alone, asks Uh Soo-sun to go with him.Uh Soo-sun

May 29, 2014

Gary & Jung In tops local music charts with ‘Your Scent’

South Korean hip-hop singer Gary and R&B singer Jung In have joined forces to top the music charts with “Your Scent.”The duo topped nine music charts on Wednesday following the release of the track on Tuesday.“Your Scent” was composed by Jung In and duo composer “Double Kick” while Gary wrote the sentimental lyrics.The sympathetic lyrics flow through the acoustic tune, with rhythmical lines of piano and stately sound of bass guitar. The R&B infused with hip-hop music maximizes Gary’s unique styl

May 29, 2014

Shin Min-ah takes on summer look

Actress Shin Min-ah showed off an elegant summer look in a recent photo shoot.  (JOINUS)In photos for women’s wardrobe brand JOINUS, Shin took on a ready-for-summer chic holiday look.  (JOINUS)(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

May 29, 2014

Lee Hyori reveals private life through blog

Korean pop diva Lee Hyori started blogging earlier this week, revealing her daily life in Jejudo Island.  (Lee Hyori's blog)Posting pictures of herself and her husband Lee Sang-soon, Lee shared part of her life with fans. So far it has ranged from seashore strolling and honeymoon photos to her vegetarian breakfast menu along with its recipe. (Lee Hyori's blog)“At one point, I started to feel like Twitter is not enough. I may be sort of poor at blogging for now but please visit and take a look,”

May 29, 2014

BoA boasts natural beauty in black glasses

K-pop singer BoA shared a selfie Tuesday, wearing black glasses with no makeup on. “Thanks for the food. hihihi~ I am so happy being full. hehe!!!!” BoA said, showing off her natural beauty in the photo. Meanwhile, the singer and actress recently wrapped up shooting of the film “Big Match,” which is soon to be released. 　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

May 29, 2014

EXO-K, VIXX show friendship in photo

K-pop idol boy bands EXO-K and VIXX were pictured together in a photo revealed Wednesday by VIXX leader N. “It has been long since everybody got together. Nice to see you, pals!” N said on his Twitter page. He also disclosed a selfie he took with fellow member Ravie, saying, “Long time no see. Let‘s meet up soon.” VIXX is soon to begin official activities to promote its recently-released fourth single “Eternity.” The idol stars will make their comeback Thursday on “M! Countdown.” By Ock Hyun-ju

May 29, 2014

Go Eun-ah boasts sexy look

Actress Go Eun-ah boasted a sexy look in a photo shoot for Esquire magazine.  (Esquire)In the interview, she mentioned her upcoming film “Sketch” and rumors about her and her brother, MBLAQ member Mir. Full photos and then interview are available in the magazine’s July issue or at imagazinekorea.com.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

May 29, 2014

Singer Lyn receives ‘original soundtrack award’ at Baeksang

South Korean ballad singer Lyn received an award for her song on the original soundtrack from “My Love from the Star", “My Destiny” at the 50th Baeksang Arts Award on Tuesday.Lyn is the first recipient to be awarded for work on an original soundtrack.“I received the Original Soundtrack Award at Baeksang Arts Award! It was the first award of its kind and I’m really honored to have received it. Thank you,” Lyn said on her Twitter account with a photo of her with the trophy.(Twitter)SBS’ drama “My

May 29, 2014

Actress Gong Hyo-jin, actor Lee Jin-wook confirmed dating

(OSEN)South Korean actress Gong Hyo-jin and actor Lee Jin-wook confirmed that they are an item, local news outlets reported on Thursday. “We confirmed that the two are in a romantic relationship. They have just started dating and maintaining a good relationship. Please support them,” an official close to the stars told local newspaper Ilgan Sports. The couple is said to have been on a late-night casual date, enjoying what “ordinary couples” do, in a suburb of Seoul out of the public eye.Earlier

May 29, 2014

S.M.’s ‘Singing in the Rain’ trailer released

S.M. Culture & Contents has released an official trailer teaser of S.M. Entertainment’s first-ever musical, “Singing in the Rain.”The anticipated musical for K-pop fans features Kyuhyun, Baekhyun, Jay Kim, Sunny, Sunday and many more professional musical actors and actresses.K-pop boy band Super Junior’s Kyuhyun appears on the show as Don Lockwood, a popular film star from humble roots. EXO member Baekhyun is doubling for the same role. Jay Kim, of one of S.M.’s oldest boy bands Trax, will also

May 29, 2014

VIXX’s Leo meets his idol, football legend Park Ji-sung

K-pop boy group VIXX’s Leo disclosed a photo taken with recently retired football player Park Ji-sung on Tuesday.“Leo meets his all-time idol,” the explanation read alongside the photo on VIXX’s official Twitter account.In the picture, both Leo and Park are smiling and standing side by side, though Leo’s smile is nervous while Park seems relaxed.  (Twitter)Leo flaunted his athletic skills during the filming of SBS’ “Running Man.” The singer joined a team called “Idol All-star” with other K-pop s

May 29, 2014